Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby
Download & Print Map and Notes
6 hrs
16.1 km One way
680 m
Hard track
(0km) Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead → Int of Karool Rd and Old Pacific Highway
320 m
7 mins
12m
-25m
Easy track
From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Newcastle’ sign[1] along the narrowing gravel verge[2], keeping the Old Pacific Hwy just to your right. After about 200m, this walk comes to then crosses the concrete road bridge[3] over Mooney Mooney Creek, enjoying the view of the wide creek[4] below. Once on the other side, this walk heads past a detailed ‘Risk Warning’[5] sign suggesting you be sensible as you cross the bridge (hope it is not too late) to then come to an intersection with Karool Rd[6], just on the other side of the highway (on your right).
Old Pacific Highway Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge
The Sydney-Hawkesbury stretch of the Pacific Highway was built in the 1920s, replacing a route that had existed since the 1830s. The original Peats Ferry Road was cut by a settler named George Peat, making a track to his property on the banks of the Hawkesbury River.
This road became the ‘Old Pacific Highway’ upon the opening of the F3, or Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, in the 1980s. This bridge is the smaller of two crossing Mooney Mooney Creek – the other, Mooney Mooney Bridge, is part of the F3 freeway and is the highest road bridge in Australia.
(0.32km) Int of Karool Rd and Old Pacific Highway → National Park Gate
1.2 km
20 mins
19m
-28m
Easy track
Turn right: From the intersection[9], this walk follows the gravel ‘Karool Road’[10] gently downhill, keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to your right[11]. This road leads past a few homes for about 600m to then pass a notable houseboat house[12]. About 250m past this house, this walk come to a Y-intersection[13], marked with a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[14], just before the tall concrete Mooney Mooney Bridge[15].
Veer left: From the ‘Y’ intersection[16], this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[17] along the upper dirt road to pass under the Mooney Mooney (F3 freeway) Bridge[18]. Just over 250m after passing under the tall bridge, this walk leads up to a large turning area[19] just before the locked gate[20], marked with a ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign[21].
Veer left: From the ‘Y’ intersection[16], this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[17] along the upper dirt road to pass under the Mooney Mooney (F3 freeway) Bridge[18]. Just over 250m after passing under the tall bridge, this walk leads up to a large turning area[19] just before the locked gate[20], marked with a ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign[21].
(1.5km) National Park Gate → Mooney Mooney Creek crossing
4 km
1 hr 21 mins
148m
-125m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the end of the dirt road[22] (that branches of Karool Rd, just north of the Mooney Mooney Bridge), this walk heads uphill along the trail and around the locked gate[23] next to the timber ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign[24]. The trail leads uphill for about 200m to where the trail bends left to pass over the crest of the hill (passing a faint track on your left[25]). Here the trail leads down the other side, still keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to your right[26] for another 400m to come to an intersection marked with a GNW arrow post[27], beside a large grassy clearing[28] (no camping).
Veer right: From the intersection[29] just above the clearing, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[30] down along the track, keeping the clearing and campsite[31] to the right. The track soon leads over a small flat timber bridge[32] then over the next 60m, the track heads under the high tension power lines (past the caution sign[33]) and then along a short section of timber boardwalk[34]. About 20m later, this walk veers right at a Y-intersection[35], then continues along the mostly flat track beside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 300m, to cross a small rocky tidal creek[36]. The track then continues through the tall forest[37] beside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 600m, passing a couple of she-oak stands[38] before the track then bends left and comes to an indistinct intersection[39] beside a timber and metal footbridge[40].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the timber and metal footbridge[41] over a tidal, unnamed creek[42] to then turn right and follow the track which soon bends left. Keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to the right[43], this track passes a small cliff[44] and then follows the mostly flat track through the tall forest[45] for about 170m to come to a large clearing with tall blue gums[46]. (This was once a campsite, camping is not safe and not permitted)
Continue straight: From the campsite[47], this walk follows the clear track north, keeping the wide Mooney Mooney Creek to your right. The clear, wide and mostly flat track leads alongside the creek[48] for about 1.2km to come to the southern bank of Ausburn Creek[49] (about 130m past a rock wall[50], on your left), a few metres above its confluence with Mooney Mooney Creek[51]
Continue straight: From the south bank of Ausburn Creek, this walk crosses the narrow rock platform and creek[52], then follows the track fairly steeply uphill[53] for about 200m. At the top of this climb, the track gently undulates[54] alongside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 700m before heading down to find a large rock platform[55] on the western bank of Mooney Mooney Creek. This large rock platform is a natural ford of the perennial Mooney Mooney Creek[56] and is home to a scattering of small and large waterholes[57].
Veer right: From the intersection[29] just above the clearing, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[30] down along the track, keeping the clearing and campsite[31] to the right. The track soon leads over a small flat timber bridge[32] then over the next 60m, the track heads under the high tension power lines (past the caution sign[33]) and then along a short section of timber boardwalk[34]. About 20m later, this walk veers right at a Y-intersection[35], then continues along the mostly flat track beside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 300m, to cross a small rocky tidal creek[36]. The track then continues through the tall forest[37] beside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 600m, passing a couple of she-oak stands[38] before the track then bends left and comes to an indistinct intersection[39] beside a timber and metal footbridge[40].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the timber and metal footbridge[41] over a tidal, unnamed creek[42] to then turn right and follow the track which soon bends left. Keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to the right[43], this track passes a small cliff[44] and then follows the mostly flat track through the tall forest[45] for about 170m to come to a large clearing with tall blue gums[46]. (This was once a campsite, camping is not safe and not permitted)
Continue straight: From the campsite[47], this walk follows the clear track north, keeping the wide Mooney Mooney Creek to your right. The clear, wide and mostly flat track leads alongside the creek[48] for about 1.2km to come to the southern bank of Ausburn Creek[49] (about 130m past a rock wall[50], on your left), a few metres above its confluence with Mooney Mooney Creek[51]
Continue straight: From the south bank of Ausburn Creek, this walk crosses the narrow rock platform and creek[52], then follows the track fairly steeply uphill[53] for about 200m. At the top of this climb, the track gently undulates[54] alongside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 700m before heading down to find a large rock platform[55] on the western bank of Mooney Mooney Creek. This large rock platform is a natural ford of the perennial Mooney Mooney Creek[56] and is home to a scattering of small and large waterholes[57].
(5.49km) Mooney Mooney Creek crossing → Lower Mooney Mooney Dam
1.2 km
28 mins
71m
-44m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the bank of Mooney Mooney Creek, this walk crosses the wide rock platform[58] and creek[59] to find the track again on the other side[60]. This creek may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain. Here the walk turns left and follows the rocky track that leads gently up alongside the creek through the pleasant forest[61]. After a little over 1km, the walk comes into view of the tailwater of the dam[62] and then past a fenced cutting[63] (on your right), the site of an old pump house[64]. About 60m past this fenced area, the walk leads up along the now widening track to find the edge of the fenced lower Mooney Mooney Dam wall[65].
Lower Mooney Dam
Lower Mooney Dam is located on the Mooney Mooney Creek, about 21 km upstream from the Hawkesbury River. In March 1938 the Gosford Mayor turned the tap to add the water from this dam into the small town water supply of the time. It is a concrete arch dam, with a capacity of 1,000 megalitres, and was superseded by the more than 4 times larger ‘Upper Mooney Dam’ in 1982. There is a set of timber steps and a faint track that leads down to the waters edge on the uphill side of the dam wall[69], the dam wall is fenced and is clearly out of bounds[70]. A sign reminds visitors that swimming is not allowed[71].
(6.71km) Lower Mooney Mooney Dam → Int of the dam trail and the old Somersby Falls track
1.7 km
40 mins
143m
-25m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the lower Mooney Mooney Dam[72], this walk heads uphill along the old trail[73], initially keeping the water on your left. The trail leads up, enjoying the occasional glimpse of water[74] (on your left) for about 400m to pass a washed-out section of the old trail[75]. From here, the walk continues up along the trail for about 1.3km, getting steeper as it climbs, and comes to a three-way intersection marked with a ‘Mooney Creek’ sign[76] pointing back downhill.
(8.37km) Int of the dam trail and the old Somersby Falls track → Int GNW and Somersby Gardens private track
180 m
4 mins
5m
-6m
Easy track
(8.55km) Great North walk sign → Somersby Gardens
660 m
15 mins
46m
-7m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection[80], this walk follows the faint track that leads behind the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[81]. This walk follows the narrow, slightly eroded track, gently uphill for about 50m to pass a ‘Private Property – Do not Trespass’ sign[82].
This walk is now going onto private land, the owner has kindly given permission for walkers to go this way – please stay to the track, stay quiet and respect the owners privacy.
The walk continues along the eroded track[83] for 200m to come to a clearing and corner of a fence. Here the walk continues straight following the farm trail[84] for 120m as the farm views begin to open up and you pass a few tires and timber wall marking an old challenge course[85]. Soon after these tires this walk comes to a larger clearing on the right[86]. Here, this walk veers right to soon come to a clearly defined trail where you continue straight following the farm trail through the rock cutting[87]. About 150m later this walk comes to a small parking area beside ‘Somersby Garden’. Please respects the owners and guests privacy. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Somersby Gardens
‘Somersby Gardens’ is set on a 50 acre property and is home to a luxurious fully self contained 3 bedroom apartment. The gardens are very well maintained[88][89][90] and often used for wedding and other special events. As the accommodation has its own private access to the main spine of the Great North Walk it makes an idea place for bushwalkers to stay the night. The accommodation has all you need plus more, full kitchen[91], Air conditioning, TV[92], bathrooms[93], swimming pool[94] and lovely sitting area[95]. Mid weeks prices are from $215 per bedroom per night. Ask about meal packs and lighten your load even further. Booking must be made in advance, please respect the privacy of guests. More info.
(8.55km) Int GNW and Somersby Gardens private track → Quarry Camping Area
350 m
9 mins
32m
-4m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[97] downhill along the track for about 50m, to crosses a small pleasant gully[98] with an ephemeral creek[99]. After this, the track starts to wind moderately steeply uphill[100] then, soon after flatting out, it comes to a signposted ‘Camping Area’[101] with a metal fireplace[102].
Quarry Camping Area
(8.9km) Quarry Camping Area → Somersby Reservoir
1.1 km
20 mins
24m
-10m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From in front of the ‘camping area’[105], this walk heads gently uphill along the sandy track[106], initially keeping the camping area to your right. After about 220m of walking through this scribbly gum forest[107] and passing a small informal campsite[108] on the way, this walk comes to the quarry boundary fence[109] and turns left[110]. Following the fence for about 70m, the track leads to a section of timber boardwalk[111] with a view (right) over parts of the quarry[112]. The walk continues along the fence for just over 250m, crossing a small flat timber bridge[113] to come an intersection with a dirt road[114] (just past the locked gate).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows GNW arrow marker[115] gently downhill along the dirt road[116]. This walk follows the road for about 400m to come to a large clearing with two large water reservoirs tanks[117]. This walk continues past the two reservoirs[118] (and past the treatment plant building[119], on your left) to come to a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[120] just in front of a small brick building[121].
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows GNW arrow marker[115] gently downhill along the dirt road[116]. This walk follows the road for about 400m to come to a large clearing with two large water reservoirs tanks[117]. This walk continues past the two reservoirs[118] (and past the treatment plant building[119], on your left) to come to a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[120] just in front of a small brick building[121].
(10.01km) Somersby Reservoir → South end of Robinson Crk Track
1.2 km
25 mins
42m
-46m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the brick building[122], this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[123] gently downhill along the gravel trail (away from the water tanks) for a few metres before turning right onto a track, following a GNW arrow post[124]. This track leads through the banksia and she-oak forest[125] for just over 100m to pass a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[126] and then cross Reservoir Rd[127]. On the other side of the road, this track continues gently down through the she-oak (Casuarina glauca) forest[128] for about 150m before crossing a metal footbridge[129]. On the other side of the bridge, this walk turns left and follows the track as it winds down through the heathy bushland, alive with wildflowers[130] in spring, for about 400m and crosses a small ephemeral creek[131]. The track then leads under a set of high tension power lines and then bends right and leads gently up for another 20m, coming to an intersection with a power line management trail[132].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail uphill[133], keeping the power lines just to your right. After about 40m, this walk follows the GNW arrow post left[134] (ignoring the ‘Private Property’[135] trail ahead) as the track winds gently uphill for about 250m before veering left, ignoring another ‘Private Property’ track[136] (on your right). The mostly flat track now leads along the side of the hill[137] for about 100m before passing under another set of power lines[138] and leading right, steeply up the short rocky hill[139]. At the top of this hill, the track leads to the end of a trail[140], but immediately veers right[141] to follow a track along a fence for about 60m before rejoining the same power line management trail[142].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail uphill[133], keeping the power lines just to your right. After about 40m, this walk follows the GNW arrow post left[134] (ignoring the ‘Private Property’[135] trail ahead) as the track winds gently uphill for about 250m before veering left, ignoring another ‘Private Property’ track[136] (on your right). The mostly flat track now leads along the side of the hill[137] for about 100m before passing under another set of power lines[138] and leading right, steeply up the short rocky hill[139]. At the top of this hill, the track leads to the end of a trail[140], but immediately veers right[141] to follow a track along a fence for about 60m before rejoining the same power line management trail[142].
(11.21km) South end of Robinson Crk Track → End of Robinson Road
2.2 km
48 mins
104m
-88m
Hard track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post uphill[143] along the wide management trail, following the power lines for about 100m before veering left to follow another GNW arrow post[144] along a narrow track.
The track leads into the bush among gymea lilies[145] (Doryanthes excelsa) and eucalypts[147] for almost 300m, crossing a couple of short flat timber bridges[148] to then head along a few sections of timber board walk through a weedy section[149] of bush. The track then continues gently downhill for another 150m to cross over a trail[150]. Following the GNW arrow post, this track now begins to lead more steeply down for about 250m, passing through another large grove of gymea lilies[151], a small cave[152] (on your left). The walk continues down the timber then stone steps[153] to head into the dense moist forest and across a flat timber bridge[154], coming into view of the creek[155]. Here the walk bends right and leads beside the creek for a short time before bending left, following the GNW arrow post across the creek flowing over the mossy rock bed[156]. Just downstream is a small pool and cascade[157].
Here the walk starts to climb up the other side of the valley[158], soon crossing a small flat timber bridge[159]. The track then winds steeply[160] out of the ferny and densely forested valley, up a series of timber and stone steps for about 130m where another GNW arrow post marks[161] the end of this section of steep climbing. This track now leads gently up among some tall eucalypts[162] and past a large grove of gymea lily[163] for about 230m to come to a T-intersection[164] with a wide management trail.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post uphill[165] along the wide sandy trail for about 40m to pass a faint trail[166] (on your right). Then about 120m further up the main trail, this walk comes a T-intersection[167] marked with a couple more GNW arrow posts.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[168] gently uphill along the sandy trail[169]. The trail soon leaves the wooded forest and after about 120m, this walk veers left at an intersection in a clearing[170]. After another 120m, the walk heads past a large grassy clearing[171] (on your right) with some tall pine trees[172]. The sandy trail continues for another 150m, past a few scribbly gums[173], and comes to a Y-intersection marked with a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[174] (pointing left).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[175] along the track, initially keeping the sandy trail to the right for a short distance. The track soon bends left, then winds over a small rise through the scribbly gum forest[176] for about 400m before heading over a short section of green boardwalk[177]. A short distance later, this walk crosses a green timber footbridge[178] and comes to an intersection at the end of the dirt Robinson Road[179].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post uphill[165] along the wide sandy trail for about 40m to pass a faint trail[166] (on your right). Then about 120m further up the main trail, this walk comes a T-intersection[167] marked with a couple more GNW arrow posts.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[168] gently uphill along the sandy trail[169]. The trail soon leaves the wooded forest and after about 120m, this walk veers left at an intersection in a clearing[170]. After another 120m, the walk heads past a large grassy clearing[171] (on your right) with some tall pine trees[172]. The sandy trail continues for another 150m, past a few scribbly gums[173], and comes to a Y-intersection marked with a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[174] (pointing left).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[175] along the track, initially keeping the sandy trail to the right for a short distance. The track soon bends left, then winds over a small rise through the scribbly gum forest[176] for about 400m before heading over a short section of green boardwalk[177]. A short distance later, this walk crosses a green timber footbridge[178] and comes to an intersection at the end of the dirt Robinson Road[179].
(13.4km) End of Robinson Road → Somersby Store
2.7 km
50 mins
80m
-21m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[180] uphill along the gravel Robinson Rd for about 300m to then continue straight ahead[181] along the sealed Silvester Rd. This walk heads along the sealed road for another 500m to pass an intersection with ‘Anembo Rd’[182], then continues along Silvester Rd. Over the next 1km or so, the walk travels among the rural properties[183], passing some distant views of the peaks in Brisbane Water NP[184] (to your right), before turning left onto Wisemans Ferry Road at the T-intersection[185]. From this intersection, this walk leads up along the narrow grassy verge beside[186] the road for about 500m to pass the large communications[187] tower (on your right), heads over the crest of the hill then down for about 250m to come to Somersby Store[188] (on your left).
Somersby Store
Somersby Store offers a good place to have lunch or pick up the basic food supplies. The store serves hot food including burgers, chips, pies etc and cold drinks. Opening hours are 6am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 6.30am to 4pm on Saturdays (closed Sundays). There is a pay phone and a bus stop however services are limited to two buses a day. Contact details are (02)4372 1269, at 841 Wisemans Ferry Road Somersby, NSW 2250. The store owners are happy for you to phone ahead. If you are a large group you can order ahead to save the stress. I always encourage people to use local stores like this on track, but since it is a small store it is worth phoning ahead to see what they have what you want in stock.
Maps for the Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Gunderman | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91313S GUNDERMAN | NSW-91313S |
| Gosford | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91312S GOSFORD | NSW-91312S |
| Wyong | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91312N WYONG | NSW-91312N |
| Gosford | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9131 GOSFORD | 9131 |
Cross sectional view of the Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 16.1 km | ||
| Time | 6 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 4.9km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 3.9km is flat with no steps and the remaining 1.3km is very steep.
Quality of track
8km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 4.7km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (3.9km) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 10km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 7km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
10km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 4.5km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (1.3km) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 14km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.9km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
14km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 1.4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (1.3km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby walk starts at the Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead (gps: -33.437988, 151.25192)Your transport options to Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead are by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Bus. A bus service runs along Wisemans Ferry Rd passing Somersby store. The service runs between Gosford and Spencer only a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277. The bus only picks passengers up from Somersby to head to Gosford on the morning runs. (get details)The Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby ends at the Somersby Store (gps: -33.358081, 151.29029)
Your main transport option to Somersby Store is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/mmctts
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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